Battier would make sense as a starter vs. Kobe Bryant

(TO COMMENT, CLICK ON "COMMENTS" TOP LEFT) — Erik Spoelstra is not one for knee-jerk. When he makes lineup changes, it tends to be with the long view in mind.

Yet Thursday could be an opportunity for a quick fix, or at least a way to find his way out of a fix when it comes to Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James.

The problem for the Heat with Dwyane Wade out is there is no Plan B when it comes to defensive measures against Bryant in the starting lineup.

James Jones would be nothing more than fresh meat.

And it's not as if Mario Chalmers or Chris Bosh is an option.

There is nothing close to the alternatives Mike Brown has, either with Matt Barnes or even Ron Artest, if that approach is revisited.

But there could be an easier way out for Spoelstra:

By letting Shane Battier in.

By replacing Jones in the starting lineup with Battier (assuming Wade cannot go), it would give the Heat a defensive alternative to LeBron, while also retaining a 3-point threat in the starting lineup.

And it's not as if Battier hasn't been here before, in an epic matchup against Kobe.

Heck, he's practically built a career around the matchup.

"I expect to get the top scorers a little bit every game," Battier said Wednesday.

This time, it might make sense for a lot of such exposure.

"My mindset," Battier said, "is no different versus a bench guy than Kobe Bryant, make those guys work and make them take tough shots."